Learn more about what’s happening at the LGA and within the local government sector. Read our media statements, register to attend an event, or subscribe to our latest news using the Subscribe button at the bottom of the screen.

On behalf of councils and the communities they serve, the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) is seeking commitments from all parties and candidates at the 2018 State Election that will ease the cost of living for South Australians, grow the economy and jobs, and support stronger communities.

Working together we can pursue South Australia’s uncapped potential and make our State a better place to work, live and visit.

State election scorecard

The LGA has produced a scorecard that captures the positions of the major parties concerning local government leading up to the 2018 state election. Please click on the headings below for further analysis of party policies.

Oppose rate capping

Labor: The SA Labor State Election 2018 policy platform confirms that SA Labor oppose rate capping and measures that undermine the fiscal independence of councils.Liberal:The SA Liberal Party has committed to introducing a council rate capping scheme.SA-BEST:The SA-BEST Local Government Reform Policy confirms that SA-BEST won’t cap council rates.Greens SA:Greens SA leader Mark Parnell wrote to the LGA confirming that the party will not introduce or support the capping of council rates.Australian Conservatives:Robert Brokenshire MLC told the LGA’s Annual General Meeting in November 2017 that Australian Conservatives would oppose the introduction of council rate capping. The Australian Conservatives have written to the LGA confirming that they will reject measures that will impact on council’s capacities to raise sufficient revenue to meet community expectations for things such as sport and recreation, infrastructure, jetties, community passenger networks and planning services. Dignity:Dignity Party leader Kelly Vincent MLC wrote to the LGA confirming that the party is opposed to rate capping and would not support measures that unfairly impact a council’s capacity to raise sufficient revenue to fund programs of local government.Advance SA: The LGA has not been advised of the Advance SA position on rate capping

Stop cost shifting

Labor:While the SA Labor Party has committed to working with the local government sector to achieve the best outcomes for South Australia, no commitments have been made to address the cost shifting issues raised by the LGA and councils. Liberal:The SA Liberal Party has made a policy statement that a Liberal Government will not continue cost-shifting to local councils. SA-BEST:SA-BEST have acknowledged the impact of cost shifting on councils and have included measures in the Local Government Reform Policy to review these issues.Greens SA:Greens SA leader Mark Parnell wrote to the LGA confirming that the party remains committed to opposing cost shifting and will support the introduction of measures to remove or reduce the financial impacts on councils to collect State Government revenue, take on additional legislated responsibilities and subsidise Government policies. Australian Conservatives:Australian Conservatives have advised the LGA they will call for review of cost shifting from state to local government over the past 16 years to assess the impacts on councils and identify the issues that need to be addressed. Dignity:Dignity Party leader Kelly Vincent MLC wrote to the LGA confirming that the party is opposed to cost shifting to local government. Advance SA:The LGA has not been advised of the Advance SA position on cost shifting.

Sensible local government reform

Labor: The SA Labor Party has not announced a comprehensive plan for local government reform. However, Premier Jay Weatherill has written to the LGA to endorse principles and actions for state and local government to work together on policy development.

Liberal:The SA Liberal Party have announced rate capping, capping fees and charges, publishing travel expenses, a limited 'benchmarking' website and forcing councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. This is not a comprehensive or sensible plan for local government reform.

SA-BEST:SA-BEST is the only party to release a comprehensive local government reform policy. A number of their proposals align with LGA policy, including: • Review the mandatory rebates councils are required to provide • Diversity of representation on councils • Strengthen the elected member code of conduct and behavioural standards • Implement sector-wide benchmarking • Facilitate better regional collaborationSome of SA-BEST’s local government policies will require further detail and discussion before the LGA’s position can be confirmed: • Compulsory voting in council elections • Establish a Parliamentary Committee and Commission for Local Government and greater Parliamentary oversight of council decisions • Mandatory live streaming of council meetings

Greens SA:Greens SA leader Mark Parnell wrote to the LGA to confirm their support for the intent of the reforms proposed by the LGA.

Australian Conservatives:The Australian Conservatives has announced they will strengthen the role of Minister for Local Government. They do not have a comprehensive plan for local government reform, and have not yet responded to the proposals put forward by the LGA.

Dignity:The Dignity Party has not announced a comprehensive plan for local government reform, and has not yet responded to the proposals put forward by the LGA

Advance SA:The Advance SA Party has not announced a comprehensive plan for local government reform, and has not yet responded to the proposals put forward by the LGA

Stronger communities

Labor: The SA Labor Party will protect local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making by opposing rate capping and forced council amalgamations. Funding and policy commitments for stronger communities from the SA Labor Party that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda include: • $20 million for round 2 of the Fund My Neighbourhood Program • $7.2 million for a state-local government community wellbeing alliance • $28 million for an urban network of parks, bike tracks and trails • $27 million to continue Home and Community Care services in 2018/19 • $1.5 million community access fund to provide better access to public facilities such as beaches, playgrounds, pool and sports grounds for people with a disability • An extra $2 million per year to improve traffic safety around schools • $4.1 million for bus shelter upgrades to meet disability standards • Further support live music and grassroots arts and culture • Create a Digital Inclusion Plan for South Australia • New e-waste initiatives to support the green industry and job opportunities through e-waste recycling

Liberal: The SA Liberal Party is committed to introducing a council rate capping scheme that puts local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making at risk. Funding and policy commitments for stronger communities from the SA Liberal Party that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda include: • $10 million to address mobile blackspots across the state • Free screening check for volunteers • Reduce the co-contribution needed by councils and local organisations to establish the boating facilities fund from 50% to 20% • A comprehensive heritage policy, heritage tourism strategy and establishing a $500,000 fund to assist owners with vital preservation and restoration works • Funding for councils to help keep suburban streets green • Natural Resource Management reform to empower local communities • An additional $5.2 million for coastal protection measures for metropolitan beaches • Invest in preventative health initiatives and work to rebalance health services funding with a focus on physical activity, smoking, alcohol, diet and health information

SA-BEST: SA-BEST will protect local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making by opposing rate capping. Funding and policy commitments for stronger communities from SA-BEST that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda include: • Overhaul of the funding and administrative arrangements for Natural Resrouces Management delivery in South Australia to return the focus to delivering real results on the ground • $30 million for regional telecommunication for mobile phone, internet and internet blackspots • Increase sustained investment in community, preventative and lifestyle programs • Substantial increase in funding for water sensitive urban design and stormwater capture and reuse initiatives for both metropolitan and regional areas • Significant increase in the level of re-investment from the ‘Green Industry Fund’ back into new initiatives • $5 million live music fund to support South Australia’s live music industry

Greens SA:Greens SA will protect local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making by opposing rate capping. Funding and policy commitments for stronger communities from Greens SA that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda include: • Ensure that local government are fully supported and well-resourced to apply recovery and recycling schemes which divert waste from landfill • Improve funding for civics education and initiatives such as Youth Parliament, Citizens’ Juries and other forms of participatory democracy • Consistent state and federal support and involvement in planning, funding, and implementing arts programs • Whole of government digital inclusion strategy • $90 million for separated bikeways and bicycle boulevards • Amend planning laws to put people back into planning

Australian Conservatives:Australian Conservatives will protect local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making by opposing rate capping. The Australian Conservatives have released a blueprint for South Australia that calls for establishment of a nuclear storage facility within SA, leading to abolition of $3 billion in annual state taxes including the Natural Resources Management Levy. The LGA does not have a position on nuclear storage in South Australia as this is a matter for each council to discuss with their community. The Australian Conservatives stimulate economic opportunities, particularly in regional areas, by making underutilised state government owned land available for local projects that will create growth and jobs. Dignity: The Dignity Party will protect local services, local infrastructure, local jobs and local decision making by opposing rate capping. Funding and policy commitments for stronger communities from the Dignity Party that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda include: • Fund community facilities that are accessible for all • Fully accessible public transport

Advance SA: Advance SA have not announced any policies or positions that align with the LGA’s 2018 State Election Agenda.

Supporting regions

Labor: SA Labor has not committed to a plan or a strategy to grow South Australia’s population. SA Labor has not committed to a ‘royalties for regions’ program. Positive commitments made include: • Maintaining a Regional Development Fund valued at approximately $165 million over the next ten years • Grow the tourism budget by $90 million to provide funding assistance towards tourism and arts projects in regionsLiberal:The SA Liberal Party has confirmed support for population growth and announced that a new type of Visa to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to start up in SA. However, their policy falls short of the comprehensive population strategy being sought by the LGA.The SA Liberals have adopted a number of regions policies that are consistent with the LGA’s State Election Agenda and policies: • Establish a Regional Growth Fund of $150 million over ten years • Establish a dedicated regional roads and infrastructure fund through a ‘royalties for regions’ program with 30% of the State Government’s revenue from mineral and petroleum royalties paid into this fund, estimated to be $750 million over ten years • Reverse speed limit reductions on eight country roads and adopt a new approach to reviewing speed limits • Guaranteed state government funding of Regional Development Australia Boards of $3 million per year over the next four year termSA-BEST SA-BEST has released a comprehensive ‘Renewing our Regions’ policy. These SA-BEST policy positions align with the LGA’s State Election Agenda: • Establish clear growth strategies and population targets for South Australian regional centres • Establish a Royalties for Regions fund to leverage investment into new, catalytic infrastructure to help grow our regions and activate local economies • Establish a $15 million Regional Entrepreneurs Programme to encourage new businesses to start-up in regional areas • Increase the share of arterial road maintenance budget to address the backlog of rural road repair and, in consultation with local authorities, reverse speed limit reductions on country roads • Develop tertiary education study hubs that integrate university and vocational education pathways, tailored to meet the needs of local industry and communities • Review incentives and job tenure for regionally-based Government positions and increase the level of front-line services and departmental decision and policy makers in the regionsSA Greens:The SA Greens policy to reduce the rate of population growth is inconsistent with the LGA’s 2018 State Election Agenda.Australian Conservatives: Australian Conservatives have not announced any specific regions policies or positions that align with the LGA’s 2018 State Election Agenda.Dignity:The Dignity Party has not announced any specific regions policies or positions that align with the LGA’s 2018 State Election Agenda.Advance SA: Advance SA have not announced any specific regions policies or positions that align with the LGA’s 2018 State Election Agenda.

South Australia. Uncapped potential

Councils and the LGA partner with the state government on a range of programs for the benefit of South Australians including:

public health partnership to support community wellbeing;

delivery of food safety inspections by councils on behalf of the state government;

contributor to the SA Volunteering Strategy to support volunteers and volunteering;assisting with the state government's waste policy objectives;

delivery of services relating to the protection of the environment and natural resources, including additional responsibilities for public nuisance and litter;

co-funding and operation of Community Wastewater Management Schemes in rural areas and management;

co-funding the State Local Government Infrastructure Fund for $124 million of new council infrastructure projects, supporting 190 jobs a year for the next three years;

facilities for tourists and infrastructure to support tourism providers; and

supporting local businesses to engage with China.

The LGA is a strong advocate for policies that achieve better outcomes for councils and the communities they represent. Councils are a partner in government and part of the solution, and our sector could achieve even better outcomes in partnership with the State Government if appropriately resourced.

Each election commitment outlined in this document will provide tangible benefits to South Australians in one or more of the following areas:

Local government is concerned about increases in the cost of living. Increases in electricity, gas prices, and health care are putting significant pressure on budgets and are the critical issues for households and businesses.

The taxation system is an important part of a discussion about cost of living. However, council rates comprise only 4% of the total taxes paid by Australians.

As the only tax available to local government, council rates are set in consultation with local communities to deliver the infrastructure and services that local communities expect.

Rate capping will not provide a significant financial benefit to ratepayers, it will however impact on the services that councils provide and local communities demand.

State governments have continued to place new and more demands on local government often without increasing the revenue available to councils to deliver new responsibilities.

Cost shifting from state to local government adds millions of dollars to council costs, resulting in increases to council rates.

There is an urgent need to reform the state - local government relationship to protect local democracy, financial sustainability in local government and relieve cost pressures on ratepayers.

Rate cappingRate capping will not ease the cost of living for everyday South Australians, but it will reduce or cut local services that communities expect.

Council services and facilities are determined in consultation with the local community each year, and are subject to ongoing review.All of these services and facilities rely on rates, and councils consult with their communities before determining their rates each year.

South Australian councils receive the lowest total revenue per person in Australia.

Experience interstate has shown that capping rates does not save ratepayers money – it just leads to higher user fees and charges, which often impact disproportionately on vulnerable people in the community.

In other states, rate capping has also cost state governments millions of tax payer dollars to administer.

Rate capping is undemocratic, unwarranted and will reduce the role of local decision makers to determine their annual rate revenues, in consultation with their communities, so as to meet community needs and expectations in a responsible and equitable way.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:• Oppose the introduction of council rate capping in South Australia.

Cost shiftingCouncil rates have increased to keep pace with cost shifting – and we look forward to the next State Government taking these costs back.Councils know the costs involved in providing the infrastructure and services our communities expect. Cost shifting from state government to local government puts significant pressure on council rates, and stopping this cost burden would bring down council rates and ease cost of living pressures.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:Address key cost burdens on local government:• Support legislation to remove the 75% rebate on council rates for community housing providers.• Hold an independent inquiry to determine the optimal level for the solid waste levy to encourage recycling and resource recovery to maximise net economic benefits to the community.• Abolish rubble royalty payments charged to local government for essential regional council road works (this is essentially a tax on councils for building and maintaining safe roads).Review all regulated fees and charges:• Conduct a comprehensive review of local government fees and charges regulated by the state government to establish modern price setting principles which promote efficiency, flexibility and fairness in service delivery.Reform governance arrangements:• Update the State/Local Government Relations Agreement to strengthen engagement with local government on changes to legislation, policies and programs that are likely to have a direct financial impact on councils.• Establish service level agreements for the delivery of state services by local government including agreed responsibilities, cost sharing and funding arrangements. • Cease mandating through state laws that local government must perform functions for the state government.• Amend the Natural Resources Management Act, 2004 to remove the requirement for councils to collect the NRM levyLocal government reform• Local government is the most efficient sphere of government – and we are happy to prove it.• Local government welcomes sensible debate about future reform – one that doesn’t need to include rate capping or forced amalgamations. • The sector has a strong a record of successfully driving its own reform agenda to be the most efficient sphere of government.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:• Provide $3 million in 2018/19, and $1 million a year for the following 3 years, towards the establishment of a sophisticated database of performance measures to support council planning and community consultation to enable local government to continually improve.

The LGA will provide all parties and candidates with our plan for State - Local Government Reform:• Your first 100 days in government, ahead of the March 2018 State Election.

AdvocacySupport the financial sustainability of South Australian councils by supporting the Australian Local Government Association’s advocacy to: • Promote the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution by supporting legislative or administrative reform to confirm the ability of the Federal Government to directly fund local government.• Address the imbalance in the Australian taxation system and restore the level of funding provided to councils through untied Financial Assistance Grants to an amount equal to at least one per cent of Federal Taxation revenue.• Ensure funding programs, including Financial Assistance Grants, Identified Local Road Grants (with the FAGs program); and Roads to Recovery funding are distributed fairly between States.

Economic growth & jobs

Local government drives economic development and is part of the solution to South Australia’s employment future.

Local government drives economic development, and is well placed to promote the economic transformation needed to create jobs and maintain the living standards of current and future generations. Improving the competitiveness of South Australia as a location for business is critical. Support for the State’s regions which are major contributors to our economy, as well as infrastructure development and promotion of tourism and culture, are priority areas where partnership with local government can deliver economic growth benefits and well as community wellbeing.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:

Business• Enhance the competitiveness of South Australia as a place to do business: • Collaborate with the federal government to provide energy security and reduce the cost of energy. • Develop and implement a population growth strategy to grow the South Australian economy and change our demographics.• Increase state government funding for vocational training and skill development in regional South Australia to meet industry needs.• Provide $25 million a year for the next four years to assist local government to co-invest in priority infrastructure, innovation and technology projects that support productivity and economic growth.

InfrastructureIncrease funding for infrastructure development:• Increase state funding for maintenance of arterial roads. • Contribute $5 million a year for the next four years to ensure South Australia gets a fair share of federal funding to address mobile black spots.

Regional planning & development• Support regional planning and development:• Increase the Regional Development Fund from $15 million a year to $45 million a year and provide regional councils with a greater say in how these funds are used. • Provide funding of $150,000 in 2018/19 to each of SA’s seven local government areas towards the development of a joint state/local government investment plan for each region. This would assist the state and local governments achieve a commitment to:- a goal of 30% of South Australia’s population to be based outside greater Adelaide, with a particular focus on our regional service centres. - a goal of 30% of the State’s public service activity to be located outside greater Adelaide. - a ‘Royalties for Regions’ program that will allocate at least 25% of mining royalty revenue to support new priority investment, innovation and new technologies in regional South Australia.

Tourism & culturePromote tourism and culture:• Make the small venue licence available beyond the CBD to foster growth opportunities in tourism and to create the right conditions for local businesses to grow employment.• Partner with local government and provide state funding of $300,000 in 2018/19 to activate live music within local communities.• Strengthen state/local government collaboration on tourism planning across regions, facilitated by local government representation on the South Australian Tourism Commission Board.

Stronger communities

Local government is the sector closest to communities. Happier, healthier, connected, communities are more productive and resilient communities. At the local level, there are opportunities to work with councils to improve the quality of life of South Australians by better shaping neighbourhood development, improving infrastructure and access to public services, targeting support to vulnerable groups and strengthening partnerships to tackle environmental issues.

PlanningPut local planning decisions back in the hands of local communitiesPeople expect planning decisions affecting the future of their neighbourhoods to be made locally. Recent changes to the planning system, while expected to promote growth, have disenfranchised communities. Restoration of local democracy in planning is fundamental to strengthening communities.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:Roll-back changes that have diminished the role of local councils in planning:

• Reinstate planning assessment powers to all local councils (excluding major developments), subject to periodic audits against agreed performance standards.• Repeal the State Coordinator-General’s call-in powers for developments (more than $5 million in metropolitan Adelaide and $3 million outside metropolitan Adelaide).• Define, as agreed with local government, clear criteria for inclusion of sensible local variations in planning policy in the Planning and Design Code.• Ensure that development proposals that do not meet the standards outlined in the relevant planning policy are subject to consultation with affected communities and rigorous assessment.• Provide funding of $300,000 over the next four years for information and training on planning reforms for local government.• Remove the role of private certifiers to issue planning approvals, beyond minor complying developments.• Ensure that the State Commission Assessment Panel is transparent in their decision making and consistent with approved planning policies.

Better manage infill development:In conjunction with local government, undertake a comprehensive review of the cumulative impacts of infill development, and adjust current policy and funding settings in relation to open space, transport and stormwater to ensure that infill areas are adequately serviced.

Strengthen support for state and local heritage:• Establish a heritage lottery to increase funding for heritage conservation.• Remove the requirement for 51% of property owners to agree by a vote to establishment of a heritage conservation zone.Community wellbeingUnlock local government’s potential to deliver meaningful outcomes in community wellbeingSignificant community wellbeing issues face South Australia, including youth unemployment, drug use, obesity, mental health and social isolation. Councils are part of the solution to create resilient, vibrant communities, with local knowledge of service gaps and experience in delivering vital community services.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:Improve facilities and infrastructure:• Support development of libraries as community hubs by extending the state government contribution to operating costs beyond 2021 and providing a new capital subsidy program of $3 million a year. • Provide funding of $20 million a year over the next four years to councils to manage and operate a community led neighbourhood infrastructure program.• Provide funding of $5.5 million over four years for installation of bus shelters that meet disability standards.

Improve access to services and facilities:• Deliver a state-wide digital inclusion strategy to address access, affordability and ability.• Provide funding to develop a plan to investigate the potential for knowledge and capacity sharing between state and local government in regional areas – for example a one-stop-shop co located facility and staff exchange program. • Introduce new legislation to facilitate community access to public school sport and recreation facilities.• Provide more off-street parking and ‘kiss-and-drop’ areas on school land to improve traffic management and road safety around schools.

Strengthen public health partnerships:• Provide $2 million a year for the next ten years to deliver a state-local Community Wellbeing Alliance for preventative health and public health promotion, as a replacement for the OPAL program.• Provide funding of $250,000 per year for four years to: - Maintain the successful public health partnership to integrate a broad range of state and council functions, and - Establish a joint program to increase the civic engagement of young people in the review of regional public health plans.

Provide targeted financial support for vulnerable groups:• Maintain or increase the state cost of living concession for pensioners, low-income earners and self-funded retirees holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card by indexation to CPI or more over the next four years. • Maintain Home and Community Care (HACC) funding for ongoing delivery of discretionary council services that support people with a disability. • Provide $500,000 over the next two years to support local government development and implementation of disability access and inclusion plans.

Sustainability• Sustainability and climate change impact our communities – local government is part of the solution to a global issue • Tackling the impacts of climate change and effectively managing our natural resources requires collaboration between governments to maximise the benefits from public investments. Local government has strong credentials in sustainability and stands ready to partner with the State Government to achieve better environmental outcomes.

The LGA calls on the next State Government to:Tackle climate change:

• Establish a four year, $10 million local government grant program to support joint implementation of priority climate adaptation actions.•Increase funding for coast and stormwater management:•Increase annual funding for coastal and stormwater management from $4 million to $12 million.•Provide $40 million over four years, to address priority coastal management issues and $5 million in 2018/19 for coast-wide strategic assessment and planning.•Promote innovative energy generation and use: •Amend legislation to enable competition in provision of public lighting services and local government transition to LED lighting.•Provide $20 million over four years to establish a local government Energy Productivity Program, to help councils lift efficiency of energy use through energy audits and adoption of new energy generation and storage technologies. Policy and program reform:•Increase spending, through the Green Industry Fund, by providing greater access to the fund by local government for green industry and disaster recovery initiatives through an uncapped and ongoing application process.•Reform NRM governance to devolve NRM responsibilities to local communities through NRM Boards and strengthen local council involvement, to deliver stronger local partnerships to manage the state’s natural assets. •Commit to reviewing coastal management/ protection legislation, guidelines, policies and operational practices including reforming the Coast Protection Act 1972.

For more information click the buttons below:

Delivering Infrastructure

Our 2018 state election agenda outlines a range of opportunities for the State Government to partner with councils to deliver infrastructure priorities.

Relative to annual income, SA’s local government sector is three times more asset intensive than the state government, and nine times more asset intensive than the federal government.

This makes asset management a critical responsibility for councils, and one which requires fair and equitable access to funding.

With this in mind, we are asking all parties to commit funding to a range of infrastructure priorities.

More information about local government’s role and constraints as an infrastructure provider, and these specific opportunities is provided in this document

We asked leading Australian economists Acil Allen to review this document, and they found that the implementation of just ten of the key economic development priorities would contribute $367 million per annum to South Australia's Gross State Product (GSP) between 2018 and 2022.

It would also result in the direct employment of 470 workers, as well as the indirect employment of a further 1,957 people.

This report reinforces the value of state and local government partnerships and how South Australia wins when we work together- without the constraints of an externally imposed rate cap.

Delivering Local Government Reform

The Local Government Association of South Australia is pleased to present a sensible plan for local government reform.

The LGASA's 2018 State Election Agenda identifies a partnership approach to local government reform as a priority for the next state government.

Our document outlines a plan for sensible change that state and local government can work together to start delivering in the first 100 days of government and beyond.

After consulting with member councils, the LGASA has developed a sector-driven local government reform agenda that concentrates on the many things councils can achieve through continuous improvement programs that strive to meet always evolving community standards and understanding of best practice.

Ultimately change within local government needs to benefit communities and create public value for South Australia. Quick fixes and populist 'solutions' need to be avoided as they will end up costing communities more in the long run. That's why rate capping and forced amalgamations will not be supported by local government.